UAE confirms readiness to address hantavirus developments and public health risks

Abu Dhabi: The National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, has confirmed the readiness of the UAE’s national monitoring and response system to address any health developments, particularly those related to hantavirus.

The authorities stated that the country’s health preparedness and monitoring measures are subject to continuous evaluation and periodic review in line with best practices and approved standards.

This came during a meeting of the National Team for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management related to human epidemics, chaired by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, and overseen by the National Emergency Authority. The meeting included participation from relevant entities and strategic partners.

The meeting reviewed the latest developments related to hantavirus, in addition to assessing the UAE’s national health monitoring and response systems, precautionary measures in place, and coordination mechanisms with relevant authorities at the local, national, and international levels.

The team affirmed the continued implementation of precautionary monitoring measures as part of the UAE’s proactive approach to strengthening public health preparedness and response to infectious diseases. It also confirmed the readiness of healthcare facilities and medical personnel to efficiently handle various health cases when needed.

The team stressed the importance of obtaining information from official sources and avoiding the spread of inaccurate information, reaffirming the UAE’s firm commitment to protecting public health and promoting community awareness.

The World Health Organization has classified hantavirus as a low-risk virus in terms of global epidemic spread, given its limited human-to-human transmission and its primary association with exposure to rodents or environments contaminated by them. The current situation does not indicate any risk of a pandemic.